Man pleads not guilty in killings of 3 Ohio women

CLEVELAND—A sex offender suspected of killing three Ohio women pleaded not guilty Thursday to updated charges including aggravated murder that could lead to a death sentence if he's convicted.

Deputies escorted Michael Madison, 36, in shackles and an orange jail jump suit into court for a brief arraignment on an updated indictment that added the death penalty option.

Madison's attorney, David Grant, spoke for his client, entering the not guilty plea and waiving a legal indictment notification deadline. Grant had lobbied against making it a death penalty case but said he wasn't surprised by the decision.

Madison is accused of killing three women and leaving the bodies in trash bags in a rundown East Cleveland neighborhood. They were found in July after police were called about an odor coming from a garage.

The 14-count updated indictment includes two counts each of aggravated murder for each victim, reflecting allegations that the alleged crimes were a pattern and were done while committing another felony.

The indictment also includes three counts of kidnapping, three counts of gross abuse of a corpse, one count of rape and one of weapons possession by an ex-convict.

Madison was classified as a sex offender in 2002 when he was sentenced to four years in prison for attempted rape, according to court records.